How to Become a Bush Pilot

James Wynbrandt and Flying Staff

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 03:19 PM ET

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Floatplanes are staples of North American bush operations. Georgian Bay Airways

Key Takeaways:

A bush pilot career demands excellent backcountry flying skills, self-reliance, resourcefulness, and a strong attitude, with two primary paths: missionary aviation and commercial operations.
Training requirements vary; missionary aviation typically requires a minimum of 500 hours, commercial and instrument certificates, a high-performance endorsement, and an A&P license, while commercial roles focus on specific platform endorsements and local area experience.
Gaining employment often starts with entry-level ground duties like loading/unloading, and practical non-flying skills (e.g., mechanics, plumbing, computer skills) significantly enhance a candidate's hireability.
Compensation differs substantially; commercial bush pilots can earn a wide range from entry-level to experienced salaries, while missionary pilots fund their own expenses and salary through self-developed donor networks.

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Bush pilots operate in remote areas worldwide with little operational support. Career success and survival require excellent backcountry flying skills, self-reliance and resourcefulness, and above all, the right attitude, say bush pilots Glen Ferguson and Keith Saulnier. They represent the two bush-pilot career paths you might consider: missionary aviation and commercial operations.

Saulnier owns Georgian Bay Airways in Parry Sound, Ontario, which offers a Career Bush Pilot Program, and Ferguson is CEO of the International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA), whose 60-some member organizations include mission-aviation fellowships and colleges with mission-aviation programs. Here are their tips for becoming a bush pilot.